Tracy Reese Brings the Pretty

It's been kinda gloomy here under the Tents so far. I've seen a lot of gray, which is usually fine with me - better than fashion's obsession with navy last fall - but I was kind of craving some color. So I was happy to see the Tracy Reese show pop up on my little schedule.

Tracy Reese is known for feminine clothing, which translates to "not just pretty, but wearable by a large percentage of the population." Generally, you don't have to weigh twelve pounds to look good in Tracy's clothes.

I was a little nervous about the show, because I hadn't been totally smitten with the spring line. There were high pants, is what I'm trying to tell you. With buttons on them. Not a good look for me, or I suspect, for you.

The fall show was much better - lots of pretty, flirty dresses, and floaty fabrics that moved nicely down the runway, but won't make the average woman look like she's swathed in a muumuu. Good stuff, all around.

My seatmate also pointed out that there was a lot of pink in the show, and that pink sells well. She's a former buyer, so she should know. All I know is that I'll buy almost anything pink, and I'm not a super girly-girl. I have a theory that it reflects flattering pink light up on your face and makes you look younger.

Also, as it's Black History Month, I'll just mention that I also like that she usually has more than the one token model-of-color at her shows. Usually, designers have about ten skinny white eastern European teenagers, one African-American model, and one Asian model. It's nice to see that statistic turned on its head.

Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images. Tracy Reese Fall 2008.